Rotary motor.



PATBNTED MAR. 7, 1905. 4

T. G. SAXTON.

RUTARY MOTR.

APPLICATION FILED IULY14. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED MAR. 7, 1905.

T. G. SAXTON.

ROTARY MOTOR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JULY 14. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ZW/Z Zar prgvzad CMZ www . g jf/MAW- No. 784,074. PATENTED MAR. 7, 1905.T. G. SAXTON.

ROTARY MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1904.

3 SHllETSr-SHEBT 3.

Smarts Patented March V, 1905-5..

ENT @lit THOMAS G. SAXTON, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASS'ltNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO ELIJAH HAVVKINS ANI) ONE-.lI-.IIRD TO YV. l l-IAWKINS, OF

FAYETIE OOUNlY, KENTIUOKY.

NOTA WY Wl OTC) lit SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.784,074, dated March 7, 1905.

Applicationfiled July 14,1904. Serial No. 216,574.

'o all 11i/wm, t 'nw/y conc/nvt:

.Be it known that I, THoMAs SAXTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State oif Kentucky,have invented new and useful lmprovements in Rotary Motors, of which thefollowing is a specilieation.

This invention pertains to rotary motors wherein the prime motive agentis admitted at intervals to distinct compartments or chambers and exertsan expansive or forceful inliuence against movable elements to inducereciprocating movement, which is converted through adjunctiveconstituents into rotary movement.

The principle involved in the present motor is similar to that ot' aturbine; but the blades of the latter are replaced by cylinders andpiston-heads moving' in directions opposite to the rotary supportingelement. ln the present construction it is desired to avoid the highvelocity of the turbine, but at the same time retain power or efliciencyin driving by having the motive agent act on or as near as possible tothe periphery of the rotary element carrying the cylinders andpiston-heads, and thus gain an increased Afulcrum'or leverage. It .isalso proposed to utilize the expansive force of steam or gas or theforceful impact'of any other motive agent economically in smaller volumein each cylinder' than in ordinary rotary motors within correspondingproportions, which will result in the reduction of speed, but amaintenance of approximately the same or greater power. This economy inthe use of the motive agent is rendered effective to maintain a maximumpower within predetermined proportions by unifying the operation ofopposed pistonheads by an intermediate connection having a compensatingmovement during the rotation of the element supporting the cylinders andpiston-heads through the mediunro'f a fixed eccentric means. 1nanalogous motors or those embodying what is known as revolvingcylinders7 wherein each cylinder is fixed to and rotatable with a{1y-wheel or other similar clement, the rotation of the `l'lywheel orlike device is instituted by radially disposing' the cylinders andpistons and relying on centrifugal inliuence; but in the presentconstruction the piston heads or valves move back to cause the fly-wheelor analogous device to rotate forwardly, the impelliug force beingapplied simultal'leously at opposite portions of the `fly-wheel or otherlike device by a part of the piston-heads, while a remaining number ofthe latter are propulsively inactive or exhausting', this operationbeing' effected at each half-revolution of the fly-wheel or similarrotary element and regularly ensuing .in succession at predeterminedtimed intervals. lt is proposed to arrange or install a plurality orbattery of cylinders and piston-hezuls or piston-valves in a rotaryelement, such as a iiy-wheel, which cooperates with and actuates a shaftor analogous driven element, the cylinders and piston-heads beinglocated in contiguous pairs and each pair of heads connected by apistonrod or rigid coupling` `for a simultaneous operation or movement.The pairs of cylinders and pi sten-heads are disposed in the rotaryelement tangential] y with respect to the center o r axis of thelatterand as ncaras possible tothe peripheryr of the element. The pairsof tangentially-disposed cylinders and connected piston heads or valvesare supplied with the motive agent at regular intervals through tubulararms concentrating at the center of the rotary element and having portsat opposite points cooperating with a feed and un` exhaust means, thecoupling Vfor the piston-heads at opposite portions of the rotaryelement having a member movably projecting into a fixed eccentric means.The shaft or driven elcment may be actuated by a single rotary elementembodying the tangentially-disposed cylinders and connectedpiston-hezuls; but to increase the power of theshaft it is preferredthat more than one rotary element be used in connection with the shaftand having the cylinders and connected piston-hezuls thereof suppliedwith the motive agent at such intervals that one set ol'l cylinders andpi sten-heads at opposite points` in the respective rotary elements willsimultaneously operate to give the shaft or driven element ahalf-revolution and become inactive, when the remaining cylinders andpiston-heads of the rotary element will be immediately rendered activeto complete the revolution, thereby materially increasing the power ofthe shaft. It is also intended to multiply the number of rotary elementscarrying the cylinders and pistonheads, arranged as set forth; but themovable members connecting the opposite pairs of piston-heads of eachrotary element cooperate with independent or distinct eccentric means,and lthe eccentric means of two rotary elements will be reverselydirected with respect to the shaft.

The invention also contemplates the simplification of motor structuresand the avoidance of complex association of the parts and also to soproportion the several parts, and especially the cylinders andpiston-heads, that the weight will not preponderate the actuatingpressure; but, on the contrary, the total pressure acting on thepiston-heads will be materially in excess of the weight resistance andrender the movement of the rotary element or elements exceptionallysensitive or responsive to the expansive influence or forceful impact ofthe motive agent, particularly in starting the motor and before aregular impetus has been established.

1n the drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of the motor, showingportions thereof broken away and in section. Fig. 2 is a partiallongitudinal vertical section of the motor, the shaft or driven elementbeing broken off at one extremity. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of aportion of the right standard or pillar for the driven element, showingthe head and the controlling means for the feed and exhaust of themotive agent in cross-section. Fig. f1 is a view similar to Fig. 3 ofthe leftstandard or pillar for the driven elcment. Fig. 5 is a top planview of one of the standards or pillars for the driven element. Fig. 6is an elevation of one of the fixed eccentric devices, looking towardthe outer side thereof. Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section on theline 7 7, Fig. 6, showing a portion of one of the piston head or valveconnecting or coupling' means and the shoe carried thereby in section,the shoe being in engagement with the friction device. Fig. 8 is an endelevation ofy the shoe carried by the couplingmeans for the piston headsor valves. Fig. 9 is a view ,similar to Fig. 7, showing a part only ofthe fixed eccentric and the shoe replaced by a roller. Fig. 10 isa sideelevation of one of the pillars for the driven element, showing thesteam supply and exhaust means in connection therewith partially insection.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

l 1n its simplified form themotor structurally l embodies a base 1,having' standards or pili lars 2, rising' from opposite extremitiesthereof to receive a driven element or shaft 3. Fixed to the drivenelement or shaft 3 is a rotary element or fly-wheel l1, having pairs ofcylinders 5 secured as close as possible to the periphery thereof andtangential to the axis or center of the said rotary element. Fourcylinders are shown in the present instance, and the number may beincreased, if desired; but irrespective of the number of cylinders usedthe contiguous pairs thereof have inner open opposing' ends, and workingtherein are piston heads or valves 6, connected by a piston-rod 7,common to both heads or valves, to cause the latter to have equalsimultaneous movementin opposite directions. The rotary element orfly-wheel 1 is held on the shaft 3 through the medium of' radial arms 8,connecting with the cylinders 5 adiacent to the closed ends of thelatter and concentrating at the center around the shaft in a hub 9,which is projected outwardly over the shaft and enters the upper end ofone standard or pillar 2. Each of the arms has a port or passage 1()extendinglong'itudinally therethrough and opening into the closed end ofthe cylinder with which it connects, all of the ports or passages 10leading to the hub 9. The ports or passages 10 of two of the arms 8merge or continue into a longitudinal feed-port 11 in the hub 9. and theports or passages of the remaining arms continue into a similar feedport12 at a diametrically opposite point in the hub, the ports 11 and 12being' separated by segmental partitions 13, produced on the hubs by theformation of the said feed-ports 11 and 12. Each of the partitions has apacking' member 14 seated therein near one edge, the packing' members inthe opposite partitions being reversely disposed with respect toopposite edges of the partitions.

The standard or pillar 2, into which the hub 9 projects, has a verticalbore 15 extending upwardly therethrough and communicating at its lowerterminal with an ouinwardly-projecting tubular connection 16, which isadapted to have a conveying-pipe or analogous device attached theretofor exhausting and feeding' the motive agent to the machine inaccordance with the direction of movement of the machine. r[he upper endof the standard or pillar 2 is enlarg'ed to form a bearing-head 17, andcentrally therein a circular receiving-chamber 18 is vertically disposedand has communication with the bore 15 of the standard at its lowerportion and with a feed and exhaust nipple 19 at its upper portion. Atits inner and outer sidesV the bearing-head 17 is also formed withcircular sockets 20 and 21, the socket 20 having a suitable fibrous orother packing' 22 therein and a packing-ring' 23, and the socket 21 isprovided. with a fibrous packing' 24, against which is inserted theflange 25 of a lOO lor;

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bearing-cap Q6, which surrounds the projecting` end of the shaft or driven element 3. 'lhe fibrous packings 22 and 24 and the ringl 23 andcap 26, with its ilange, will be of such materials as are best adaptedfor the purpose to insure the formation of a tight joint around the hub9 within the head 17 of the standard or pillar and to resist wear tosuch an extent as to prolong a trueness of operation of the hub andshaft extremity within the head. The outer terminal 27 of the hub issolid, the hub being circumferentially reduced, as at 30, to form thehead-terminal, as set forth, and also give suliicicnt clearance withinthe chamber 18 for eliective communication with the latter of thelongitudinal feed-ports l1 and 12.

Rising' from an intermediate portion of the base 1 as an upright 31,having' a head 32, tln'ough the center of which the shaft or drivenelement3 movably extends, and secured to one side of the head is aneccentric device 33, which consists of a disk through which the shaft ordriven element 3 movably passes to one side of the center, as clearlyshown by Fig. 6. .ln the present construction of this eccentric devicean outiwirdly-opening circular groove 34 is formed and hasinwardly-converg'ing side walls 35. rlhe contour of this groove 34 may,however, be varied, and in view of the eccentric relation of the shaftor driven element 3 to this eccentric device the latter is projectedlaterally agreater distance at one side of the machine than at theother. Vl n the preferred construction ot' the motor the groove 34 ismovably engaged by a segmental shoe 36, which has its upper and lowersides inclined in directions corresponding to the opposite walls 35 ofthe groove. The segmental shoe 36 is of such dimensions as to be onlypartially projected into the groove 34 to reduce the friction as much aspossible and avoid jamming or stickingl of the shoe during its traverseof the groove. lt will be observed Vfrom the detail view of the shoe, as

shown by Fig. 3, that it has a longitudinal curvature corresponding' tothat of the groove, the opposite or upper and lower sides of the shoebeing', respectively, concave and convex to render the movement thereofwithin the groove Yfree of retardation as much as possible and also toreduce the tendency of wear on the engaging parts. Ainstead of the shoe3G a roller 37, Fig. 9, may be used for the same purpose with equalel'iieicncy; but it is preferred that the shoe be employed in view ofits longer bearing, and consequently more `positive engagement andmovement with respect to the eccentric device. The shoe or roller iscarried by the central portion of the deflected intermediate member 38of a coupling 39 for the piston-rods 7 of the head 6. The coupling 39has outwardly directed straight terminals 40, with inner semicircularseats 41 to partially embrace the piston-rods, the terminals 40 beingheld in operative connection to the piston-rods by coupling-clips 42,bolted or otherwise attached to saidterminals 4'() and havingoutersemicircular seats 43, which coincide with the seats 41. The terminals4() and their clips 42 snugly and tightly embrace the piston-rods 7 toavoid the least lost motion or slipping movement of thecoupling-terminals on the piston-rods to insure a simultaneous actuationof the terminals of the coupling of equal extent in opposite directionsunder all conditions and in consonance with the movements of thepistonrods. i

The operation of the motor as thus described in its simplified form willbe regular, and as steam is admitted to the two cylinders (shown to theleft in Fig. 1) above and below the horizontal diameter of the rotaryelement or fly-wheel 4 the piston-heads 6 in said cylinders will beforced to the right and the piston-heads at the opposite extremities ofthe piston-rods will move inwardly into their cylinders gradually, andimmediately the rotary element or ily-wheel will be rotated in thedirection of the arrow shown by Fig. 1. An unequal expenditure of theexpansive force of the motive 'agent on the piston-heads iniitiallyengaged, as just explained, will be prevented by the coupling 39 for thepiston-rods 7, and consequently the power of the driven element or shaft3 will be regularly maintained. This restriction to rapid movement ofthe piston-heads is due to the location of the shoe 36 in the groove 34of the eccentric device 33, and it will be seen by the dotted linesshown by Fig. l that said shoe will be arranged centrally with respectto the hori- Zontal diameter of the rotary element or l'lywheel 4 whenthe initially-fed cylinders 5 are in the position shown by Fig. 1 or, inother words, the said shoe will be nearer to the driven element or shaft3 than at any other time d uring the operation of the motor. As therotary element or vfly-wheel is thrown around the shoeI movesupwardlythrough the groove 34, and gradually the distance between the same andthe axis of the motor or the shaft 3 increases, and such increase ofdistance of the shoe with respect to the axis is equal Vto the movementof the piston-rods 7 and the pistonheads 6 in the respective cylinders.When the shoe arrives at a point in the eccentric device diametricallyopposite that shown by Fig. 1, the piston-heads which have lirstreceived the expansive el'i'ect or forceful impact of the motive agentwill have about reached the terminus of their inward movement and theopposite piston-heads will have moved far enough into their cylinders tobe ready to receive a charge of the motive agent to complete th'erevolution of the 'rotary element or Iiywheel 4. rlhis simplifiedconstruction and operation have been set forth to demonstrate that themotor will be actuated to rotate at least in one direction without anyfurther lOO ISO

A auxiliary, and the feed and exhaust will regl mechanism controllingthe admission of the ularly ensue through the position of the partitions.13 of the hub 9, as shown by Fig. 4, the exhaust of the two cylindersfirst receiving the charge of the motive agent being effected when theremaining cylinders receive such charge, and vice versa. lt is possibleto reverse this simplified form of the motor by varying the entrance ofthe motive agent into the opposite cylinders through suitable valvemeans well understood in this art. 1t -is preferred, however, to equipthe driven element or shaft 3 with more than one rotary element orfly-wheel 4, as clearly shown by Fig. 2, the

second Hy-wheel being provided with the same y components andinstrumentalities just particularly described in connection with one ofsaid iiy-wheels, and in the drawings similar reference-numerals areapplied to the like parts. The eccentric device 44, engaged by the shoeof the coupling 39 of the piston-rods of the second fly-wheel, is inreverse position relatively to the eccentric device 33 and projects inan opposite direction with respect to the shaft or driven element 3.Furthermore, the coupling 39 of the second rotary element or iy-wheel 4has its intermediate arcuate member 38 in reverse position to thesimilar member of the coupling of the first-described rotary element,and in the initial operation of the motor in its preferred combinedfly-wheel or rotary-,element arrangement the pistonheads will be inreverse positions in their cylinders in the two rotary elements, or themotive agent will engage the piston-heads and cylinders in reverse orderin the two rotary elements. Under this operation the cylinders andpiston-heads in one rotary element which are propulsively inactiveduring the first half of the revolution will have their inactivitycounterbalanced by the driving action of the cylinders and piston-headsin like positions in the second rotaryr element. This operation willbecome regularly successive in alternation in the batteries of cylindersand pistonheads in the two rotary elements, with a consequent increasein power of the driven element or shaft 3, and it is proposed toincrease the number of rotary elements and organization of piston-headsand cylinders explained indefinitely. lt will be seen, however, that thedisposition of the rotary elements in contig'- uous pairs having theircylinders and pistonheads in reverse positions, controlled alternatelyas to activity and inactivity from a propulsive standpoint, will be veryeffective in concentrating increased driving power within the shaft 3 bymeans of an economical expenditure of the motive agent, which is full yutilized throughout the extent of its expansive or impacting forcewithout the loss of the least energy.

The reversal of the motor having the dual rotary element and piston-headand cylinder organization will be attained by suitable valve motiveagent into the cylinders in opposition to those first receiving theagent when the motor is actuated to rotate in a contrary direction. Itwill also be understood that the details of the various parts may bemodified, as well as the proportions and dimensions of the main parts,in constructing motors embodying the features of the invention havingvaryinghorse-powers. Itis not essential that the exact mode of attachingthe cylinders and of securing' the shoes to the couplings, as shown andset forth, should be accurately followed, as such details do not in theleast affect the general operation. ,It is essential, however, that thepresent form of motor have the cylinders and piston-heads andconnectingrods for the latter arranged tangentially with respect to theaxis of the rotary elem ents and, further,that the admission of themotive agent be controlled at all times to move the pistonheads back orin a direction reverse to the movement Yof the rotary elements. Insupplying' the motor with a driving agent the latter when the motor ismoving in the direction of the arrow enters the nipple 19, and theexhaust is effected through the tubular connection 16 when the terminala; of the one partition 13 (see Fig. 3) reaches the point y. Afteradmission of the motive agent exhaustion from the cylinders in activityis effected, the partitions in the remaining standard or pillar having acorresponding operation. To reverse the engine, the motive agent isadmitted through the tubular connection 16 and exhausts through thenipple 19 in each standard, a suitable two-way cock being one way ofarriving at this result, or, in other words, to change the direction ofthe steam or other motive agent with respect to the tubular connectionand nipple. rlhe means for controlling the steam supply, exhaust, andreversal of the motor is clearly shown by Fig. 10 and includes a pipe43a, connected at opposite ends, respectively, to the nipple 19 and theconnection 16 and provided at an intermediate point with a two-way valve44". By operating said valve in opposite directions the admission andexhaust of the steam or other motive agent may be controlled as justexplained.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1.A motor, having a driven element, a rotary element, cylinders andpistons carried by the rotary element and arranged in oppositecoperating pairs, and means for feeding the motive agent to thecylinders in such manner as to cause the pistons to move in a directionreverse to that of the rotary element.

2. A motor, having a driven element, a rotary element. and pairs ofpropelling devices carried by the rotary element having connected partsactuated by the motive agent and moving back in a direction reverse tothe direction of rotation of the said rotary element.

IOO

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verter/a i 3. A motor, having a driven element, a rctary elementcooperating with the driven element, and propulsive devices carried bythe rotary element connected .in pairs for simultaneous operation andarrang'ed tangentially to the center of the latter.

4. A motor, having' a rotary element provided with dependently-opcrativepairs el propulsive devices arranged tangentially to the center thereof.

5. A motor, having' a rotary clement carrying' simultaneously-operativepairs of propulsive devices arranged tang'entially to the center thereofat opposite points.

6. A motor, having' a rotary7 element with pairs of tangentialpropelling devices arranged at opposite points therein, the said pairsof devices having simultaneous operatingelements.

7. A motor, having' a driven element, a rotary element cooperatingtherewith, and pairs of tangentially-arranged propelling devices atopposite points therein, said propelling' devices having' movable partsconnected for simultaneous operation.

8. A motor, having a rotary element provided with pairs of cylinders andpiston-heads arranged tangentially with respect to the center, thepiston-heads of each pair of cylinders being connected for simultaneousoperation.

9. A motor, having' a driven element, a rotary element cooperating'therewith and provided with tubular arms communicating with a source ofsupply of the motive agent` and tangentially-disposed propelling devicesarranged close to the periphery of the rotal'y element and connected tothe arms.

10. A motor, having a rotary element with tubular arms, a driven elementto which said arms extend, and connected pairs of propelling devicesdisposed close to the periphery of the rotary element and havingcommunication with the said arms.

l1. I'n a motor, a driven element, a rotary element secured to thedriven element and having op positely dis posed tangentially -arrangedpairs 01 propelling devices, a coupling' for the opposite pairs ofpropelling devices, and means for controlling the movement of thecoupling' during the actuation of the rotary element.

12. In a motor, a driven element, a rotary elementfor actuating' thedriven element, pairs of cylinders tangentiall y disposed in the rotaryelement at diametrically opposite points and having' connectedpiston-heads, a coupling for the piston-heads of the opposite pairs ofcylinders, and a iiXed eccentric device with which a portion of thecoupling' engages.

' 13. In a motor, a driven element, a rotary element having'tangentially -arranged propelling mechanism at diametrically oppositepoints provided with movable parts, a coupling connecting' the saidmovable parts of the opposite propelling' mechanisn'i, and a iixed l 1 ll eccentric device with which a portion of the coupling' engages.

14. In a motor, a driven element, two independent rotary elementssecured to the driven element, and pairs of propelling devices arrangednear the periphery of each rotary element and at diametrically oppositepoints.

ln a motor, a driven element, independent rotary elements secured to thedriven elcment, and taugentially-arranged pairs of propolling' devicesdisposed near the periphery of each rotary element at diametric: `llyopposite points.

16. In a motor, a driven element, independent rotary elements secured tothe driven element, propelling devices at opposite points in each rotaryelement,couplings for the propeiling' devices, and reversely-extendingeccentric devices engaged by portions of the couplings.

17. In a motor, tubular stamlards. a driven clement supported by saidstandards. independent rotary elements secured to thedriven element andcarrying batteries of propulsive devices and tu bular feeding meansconnecting' with the propulsive devices and the standards.

18. ln a motor, tubular stanrflards to receive the motive agent, adriven element rotatably held by said standards, rotary elements sccuredto thedriven element and carrying batteries of propulsive devicescoupled for simultaneous operation, and tubular connecting means betweenthe batteries of propulsive devices and the standards.

19. .ln aniotor, a driven element, independent rotary elements securedto the driven element, propelling devices arranged at dialnetricallyopposite points and connected tothe rotary elements, the propelling'devices being' positioned tangentially with respect to the drivenelement,` couplings for the propelling devices. reversely-extendingeccen trie devices engaged by portions of the couplings, and means forfeeding and exhausting the propelling devices.

20. In amotor, a driven element, indepeiident rotary elements securedtothe driven element, propelling devices at opposite points in eachrotary element, couplings for the propelling devices having' projectingmeans, and reversely-arrangrul eccentric devices engaged by theprojecting means of the couplings.

21. In a motor, a driven element, independent rotary elements secured tothe driven element, propelling devices arranged in pairs at oppositepoints in each rotary element, aportion of the pairs of propellingdevices in one rotary element being propulsively active while likedevices in the other element are propulsively inactive, and means forsupplying` the motive agent to and exhausting the same from thepropelling devices.

22. ln a motor, a driven element, independent rotary elements secured tothe driven ele- IOO ment, pairs ot' propelling devices arranged atopposite points in each rotary element, portions of the propellingdevices in the respective rotary elements being alternately propulsivelyactive and inactive, means for obtaining' a unitary operation of thepairs of propellingl devices, and means for supplying and exhausting themotive agent.

23. In a motor, a driven element, a rotary element having tubular armsconcentrating' in a central hub on the driven element, propellingdevices at opposite points in the rotary element with which the armscommunicate, and tubular supporting means for the driven element and hubhaving means for receivingl a supply ot' a motive agent and exhaustingthe latter.

24. 1n a motor, a driven element, a rotary element secured to the drivenelement, pairs of cylinders carried by the rotary element and havinginner open ends and outer closed extremities` piston-heads in the pairsof cylinders.I each pair of heads being connected by a single rod, acoupling means between each piston-rod of the opposite pairs otl heads,

means tor controlling the regularity of movement or' the coupling means,and means for supplying the motive agent and exhausting the latter.

'25. In a motor, a driven element, a rotary element secured to thedriven element, pairs et' cylinders arranged at opposite points in therotary element and having inner open ends and outer closed extremities,piston-heads in the cylinders connected for sin'iultaneous operation,tubular arms attached to the outer closed extremities of the cylindersand concentrating at the center in a tubular hub engaging' the drivenelement, and a tubular supporting means to receive and exhaust themotive agent, such tubular supporting means operatively holding' thedriven element and a portion of the hub.

ln testimony whereot` I have hereunto set my hand in presence oi' twosubscribing' witnesses.

THOMAS Gr. SAXTON. lVitnesses:

J. ENDRY ALLEN, ELIJAH HAwmNs.

